For history buffs, these five spots in Pakistan are a must stop

Taxila is home to the Dharmarajika stupa, where it is said fragments of Buddha’s bones have been buried. Photo taken December 12, 2015 (Courtesy Wikipedia)
Updated 06 September 2019
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For history buffs, these five spots in Pakistan are a must stop

  • Those looking to see the past in today’s Pakistan, these are the locations
  • History of the Swat valley goes back to around 2000 years ago

Taxila
Taxila, which means “City of Cut Stone,” is an important archaeological site located in Pakistan’s Punjab province, around 32 km north-west of the capital city of Islamabad. The origins of some of the sites in the city date back to 1000 BC. Must see spots include the Dharmarajika Stupa, also referred to as the Great Stupa of Taxila, a stone structure where fragments of Buddha’s bones are said to be buried. Other popular stupas include the Kunala, Lalchak and Badalpur, Mohra Moradu, Pippala and Jaulian. Many of the sites are free to visit while a few have entry fees of less than ten dollars. Taxila was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990.
In a 2010 report, Global Heritage Fund identified Taxila as one of 12 worldwide sites most “On the Verge” of irreparable loss and damage, citing insufficient management, development pressure, looting, and war and conflict as primary threats.




Taxila is home to the Dharmarajika stupa, where it is said fragments of Buddha’s bones have been buried. Photo taken December 12, 2015 (Courtesy Wikipedia)




Stone carvings seen at the protected site of Taxila on March 15, 20110 (Courtesy Wikipedia)

Swat Valley
Pakistan was last a prominent tourist destination in the 1970s when the “hippie trail” brought Western travelers through the apricot and walnut orchards of the Swat Valley on their way to India and Nepal. But the history of the valley goes back to around 2000 years ago when it was known as Udyana, a name later changed to Suvastu. Historical sites in the area include the “Rock Art Of Barikot” which can be found spread through Mansehra, Parlai Dab and Khanpur-Shikoli regions of Swat. The city of Barikot is mentioned in historical tellings from the time Alexander the Great conquered the area around 327 BC. Other remnants of his time include the town of Udegram. The rock art includes the Buddhist stupas of Butkara, Shengerdar and Nimogram Stupas, rock formations and caves and the Amluk-Dara Stupa, a significant Buddhist-era site dating back to 1400 BC.




The Barikot Ghundai Hill in Swat Valley is home to some of the country’s oldest historical ruins. Photographed on February 12, 2012 (Courtesy Wikipedia)

Lahore
Every Pakistani you meet will remind you of the old adage that if you haven’t been to Lahore you haven’t lived. The historical sites are too many to name: The incredible Mughal buildings of the Lahore Fort and the Badshahi mosque, one of the world’s largest mosques, the Shalimar Gardens, Jehangir’s Tomb and the colorful Wazir Khan Masjid — to name just a few. 




The iconic entrance to the Lahore Fort in Lahore’s Old City as see on October 22, 2011 (Courtesy Wikipedia)

Karachi
Karachi, once the prehistoric abode of Sindhi fishermen, is now a roaring urban metropolis that sustains the country with its ports. But the city has some incredible historical sites to offer also. Visit the 20th century Rajhastani style Mohatta Palace built by a Hindu Prince in 1925 and used today as an art gallery and museum; drop in at the Quaid-e-Azam House to look into the life and times of the country’s founding father; or check out the Frere Hall building which recalls the time when Pakistan was a part of the Indian British colony and serves as a library and art gallery today. Also pay a visit to the The Chaukhandi Tombs, an ancient graveyard and UNESCO World Heritage Site whose origins are estimated to range between the 15th and 18th century. Aso worth checking out are the ruins of the city of Bhambore which dates back to the 1st century BC and was constructed during the Scytho-Parthian era. 




The Makli Necropolis sits on the outskirts of the city of Thatta and encompasses a number of monuments and tombs bearing details from 14th and 18th century artisans from tile mosaics to Qur’anic art. Photograph: August 24, 2011 (Courtesy Wikipedia)




Stone pillars with carvings line a walkway in the Makli Necropolis in Pakistan’s Sindh province. Photograph: May 24, 2015. (Courtesy Wikipedia)

Peshawar 
Peshawar too has a number of historical sites to offer. The 17th century Mughal-era mosque Masjid Mahabat Khan and the floating gardens of Wazir Bagh built in the 18th century can all be found in this ancient city. The most impressive sites however are the forts. Built in 1836 by General Hari Singh Nalwa after the Sikhs had won the area from the Afghans, Jamrud Fort was a battleground between Sikh and Afghan forces in the 1800’s while Fort Bala Hisar is one of the oldest and (criminally underrated) landmarks in the city. 




Fort Bala Hisar is a massive fort that stands in Peshawar, Pakistan. Photograph February 5, 2019 (Courtesy Blogspot)


 


Pakistan to convert Frontier Constabulary into nationwide federal force amid mounting security challenges

Updated 4 sec ago
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Pakistan to convert Frontier Constabulary into nationwide federal force amid mounting security challenges

  • FC’s primary function is to police border between settled areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and tribal areas
  • Experts view step as part of broader efforts to centralize, enhance internal security infrastructure, says state media

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal government has decided to convert the Frontier Constabulary (FC) paramilitary force into a nationwide federal unit empowered to operate across the country, state-run media reported this week. 

According to the FC’s website, the paramilitary force’s primary function is to police the border between the settled areas of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and its tribal areas against incursions and criminal gangs operating from across the border.

The FC is governed under the Frontier Constabulary Act, 1915 and the North-West Frontier Constabulary Rules, 1958. The maintenance, superintendence, administration and control of the force lies with the federal government, which is also empowered to deploy the FC in any part of Pakistan for “better protection and administration” of those areas, as per its website. 

“The federal government has decided to transform the Frontier Constabulary (FC) into a nationwide federal force,” the state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) said in a report on Sunday.

“According to reliable sources, the revamped force will operate under the new name ‘Federal Constabulary’ and will be empowered to function across all provinces, including Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.”

The report said that the force will be converted through amendments to the Frontier Constabulary Act of 1915, which are expected to receive approval from the federal cabinet. Following the cabinet’s endorsement, a presidential ordinance will be issued to extend the FC’s jurisdiction across the entire country.

The state media said that as part of the force’s reorganization, recruitment for the new Federal Constabulary unit will be carried out nationwide, with offices established across the country.

“The force will be commanded by officers from the Police Service of Pakistan, according to insiders familiar with the restructuring plan,” the report added. 

The PTV report said security experts view this step as part of broader efforts to centralize and enhance Pakistan’s internal security infrastructure.

“The establishment of the Federal Constabulary is expected to play a crucial role in maintaining law and order and strengthening national peace and security mechanisms,” it said. 

The development takes place as Pakistan faces surging militant attacks in its KP and Balochistan provinces that border Afghanistan and Iran. Islamabad has grappled with a surge in militant attacks in KP since a fragile truce between Pakistan and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke down in November 2022. 

The TTP’s militants have carried out some of the deadliest attacks against Pakistan’s security forces and civilians since 2007 in a bid to impose their strict version of Islam across the country. 

Pakistan blames the Afghan government for not taking action against TTP militants, which it alleges operate from safe havens in Afghanistan. Kabul denies the allegations and says it does not allow militants to use its soil to launch attacks against Pakistan.


FM Dar to represent Pakistan at SCO Council of Foreign Ministers today amid regional tensions

Updated 32 min 20 sec ago
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FM Dar to represent Pakistan at SCO Council of Foreign Ministers today amid regional tensions

  • The SCO is a major trans-regional organization collectively representing nearly half of the world’s population
  • Dar will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of the SCO meeting in China’s Tianjin

ISLAMABAD: Deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, will be leading the Pakistani delegation at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in China today, Monday, the Pakistani foreign ministry said, with member states expected to discuss key regional and global issues at the forum.

The meeting comes amid simmering regional tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan, following New Delhi’s refusal to sign a recent SCO joint statement over its omission of a deadly April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The SCO, a trans-regional bloc comprising China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Iran, and Central Asian states, is expected to deliberate on pressing regional and global security, connectivity, and economic issues.

Dar is attending the CFM meeting, being held in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin on July 14-16, at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.

“The deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Pakistan will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of the CFM meeting,” it said in a statement on Sunday.

The CFM is the third highest forum in the SCO format that focuses on the issues of international relations as well as foreign and security policies of China-backed SCO.

Last month, Beijing’s bid for enhanced regional leadership suffered a setback when India rejected signing a joint statement put before defense ministers of the SCO, seen by some Western analysts as a regional grouping by China and Russia to counter United States influence in Asia, with New Delhi saying it was pro-Pakistan in not mentioning April’s attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.

India blamed Pakistan for backing the gunmen behind the April 22 killing of 26 people. Islamabad denies the charge.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the statement diluted India’s position on critical issues such as terrorism and regional security, The Associated Press reported, citing a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. Singh alleged the joint statement “suited Pakistan’s narrative” because it did not include that attack but mentioned militant activities in Balochistan.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused India of backing separatists in its Balochistan province, allegations that India denies.

In May, India and Pakistan exchanged fighter jet, missile, drone and artillery strikes for four days over the Kashmir attack, killing around 70 people on both sides before agreeing to US-brokered ceasefire.


Japan outclass Pakistan 3-0 to win Men’s U18 Asia Cup 2025 title

Updated 13 July 2025
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Japan outclass Pakistan 3-0 to win Men’s U18 Asia Cup 2025 title

  • Japan’s Yuma Fujiwara scored goals in the 22nd and 38th minutes of game
  • Skipper Tatsuaki Yasui scored the final goal to end Pakistan winning streak

ISLAMABAD: Japan defeated Pakistan 3-0 to win the Men’s U18 Asia Cup 2025 final at the National Hockey Training Center in Dazhou, China on Sunday.

Despite both teams attacking each other, the opening quarter of the match ended without a goal. Japan’s Yuma Fujiwara scored the first goal in the seventh minute of the second quarter.

Fujiwara found the net once again in the third quarter, followed by Tatsuaki Yasui extending Japan’s lead to 3-0 on a penalty corner in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

“Japan are crowned champions after a commanding 3–0 victory over Pakistan in the final,” the Asian Hockey Federation commented on X.

“A flawless campaign, built on discipline, skill, and teamwork, earns Japan the top spot on the podium.”

Pakistan had entered the final unbeaten, after defeating Malaysia 4-3 in the semifinals.

Prior to that, the Pakistani side beat hosts China 2-1, Bangladesh 6-3, Sri Lanka 9-0 and Hong Kong 8-0.


Pakistan’s performance under $7 billion program has been ‘strong so far,’ IMF representative says

Updated 13 July 2025
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Pakistan’s performance under $7 billion program has been ‘strong so far,’ IMF representative says

  • Pakistan is currently navigating a long path to economic recovery under the 37-month IMF program secured in Sept.
  • Reforms to strengthen tax equity, improve business climate are key to economic sustainability, Mahir Binici says

ISLAMABAD: Mahir Binici, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) country representative for Pakistan, has described Islamabad’s performance under a $7 billion IMF loan program as being “strong so far,” the Islamabad-based Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) think tank said on Sunday.

Binici said this in his guest lecture at the Institute, during which he shed light on the evolving economic landscape across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and Pakistan.

Pakistan narrowly avoided a sovereign default in mid-2023 thanks to a shorter $3 billion IMF facility. In Sept. last year, Islamabad secured the 37-month, $7 billion program after meeting targets under the previous arrangement.

The IMF representative said Pakistan’s successful completion of the first review of its loan program, secured last year, by the IMF executive board in May 2025 was a “key milestone.”

“Early policy measures have helped restore macroeconomic stability and rebuild investor confidence, despite persistent external challenges,” Binici was quoted as saying in an SDPI statement.

He, however, cautioned that “elevated trade tensions, geopolitical fragmentation, and weakening global cooperation continue to generate exceptional uncertainty and weigh on the global economic outlook,” underlining the urgent need for prudent and forward-looking policy actions.

“Growth across the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) region, and Pakistan is expected to strengthen in 2025 and beyond,” Binici said.

The IMF representative reaffirmed the global lender’s continued support for Pakistan’s economic and climate reforms agenda.

“Structural reforms remain central to Pakistan’s long-term economic sustainability, particularly reforms that strengthen tax equity, improve the business climate, and encourage private-sector-led investment,” he said.

Binici’s comments came a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defended his government’s structural reform agenda, particularly in tax administration, saying that difficult and often unpopular decisions were necessary to rebuild national institutions as the country could no longer afford “business as usual.”

Speaking at a session of the Uraan Pakistan youth development program, he said his administration took on the “onerous task” of stabilizing the economy under immense pressure, choosing to pursue long-delayed reforms rather than temporary fixes.

“Pakistan had to undertake these long-overdue, deep structural changes, if we had to find our lost place in the comity of nations through hard and untiring efforts,” he said.

Sharif noted the transition from paper-based tax systems to digital and AI-led processes was already bearing fruit and his administration had prioritized accountability and removing senior revenue officials accused of corruption, resisting political pressure in doing so.

“It’s a long and thorny journey,” he said, assuring merit would remain the cornerstone of his governance model. “We are facing bumps on the way and mountain-like impediments. But I can assure you, we will not shy away from discharging our responsibility.”


Pakistani commerce minister embarks on ‘pivotal’ UK visit to deepen economic ties

Updated 13 July 2025
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Pakistani commerce minister embarks on ‘pivotal’ UK visit to deepen economic ties

  • The UK maintains zero-tariff access of Pakistan’s exports post-Brexit, making it Islamabad’s largest European export partner
  • The Pakistan-UK trade in goods and services reached £4.7 billion in 2024, an increase of 7.3 percent, compared to the previous year

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan has embarked on a “pivotal” official visit to the United Kingdom (UK) from July 14 till July 20 to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, Khan’s ministry said on Sunday.

The minister is accompanied by Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul and this high-level visit aims to deepen bilateral commercial ties, strengthen institutional frameworks, and open new avenues for trade and investment between Pakistan and the UK.

Khan will engage with major Chambers of Commerce in London and Birmingham to advance bilateral trade and explore opportunities in emerging sectors, besides highlighting Pakistan’s export potential and fostering greater business-to-business collaboration.

“One of the central moments of the visit will be the signing of the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the Pakistan-UK Trade Dialogue,” the commerce ministry said.

“This formalization marks a significant step toward institutionalizing bilateral trade cooperation, injecting greater standardization, transparency, and predictability into the economic relationship between the two countries.”

The UK maintains zero-tariff access of Pakistan’s exports post-Brexit, making it Pakistan’s largest European and third-largest individual export partner, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.

The Pakistan-UK trade in goods and services reached £4.7 billion in 2024, an increase of 7.3 percent, or £320 million, compared to the previous year, according to the UK government data. Of this £4.7 billion, UK exports to Pakistan amounted to £2.2 billion, while its imports from Pakistan amounted to £2.5 billion.

During his visit, the Pakistani commerce minister is scheduled to meet with members of the UK’s All Parties Parliamentary Group (APPG), where he will advocate for stronger political support in enhancing trade and investment flows, according to the commerce ministry.

These discussions will aim to align parliamentary efforts with Pakistan’s broader economic diplomacy goals and strengthen long-term partnerships.

“Khan will interact with leading UK-based multi-million-dollar companies from key sectors such as food processing, information technology, engineering, fintech, and capital investment. These meetings aim to showcase Pakistan’s economic potential and attract targeted investments into high-growth industries,” the commerce ministry said.

“The visit also includes important meetings with the UK Pakistan Business Council, Pakistan Britain Business Council, and UK Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry. These discussions will focus on strengthening institutional trade linkages and leveraging diaspora-led initiatives to boost trade volumes and visibility in the UK market.”

Pakistan is currently striving to draw overseas investment amid a gradually healing macroeconomic environment after a prolonged downturn that forced Islamabad to seek external financing from friendly nations and multiple loan programs from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Khan’s visit follows another trip to the UK in June by Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s aide on privatization, Muhammad Ali, who held meetings with executives from renowned firms, including TTB Partners, STJ Partners, Deutsche Bank, Berenberg Bank, and Amundi Fund Group, to spotlight Pakistan’s privatization roadmap and its growing potential as a hub for strategic, long-term investment.

The Pakistani commerce ministry said Khan’s visit marks a “renewed thrust in Pakistan’s efforts to advance economic diplomacy, diversify export markets, and solidify its commercial footprint in global markets like the United Kingdom.”